November 2009 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

JO90, JN99, KO00, JN09 Wanted Grids Question
by Jarek Stopczyk, KB9IIZ 21 Nov '09

21 Nov '09

I will be traveling in December and January and might have the opportunity to activate: JO90, JN99, KO00, JN09 on FM sats. I'd like to ask European grid hunters some questions that would help me make my decision: Are these grids considered "wanted" by European grid hunters? If so, what would be the ranking, most to least wanted? Is there a need for an activation (what is the last time they have been activated)? I'm also checking if I could activate 50N, 20E covering all four in one QSO or perhaps operate on the line between 2 grids. All inputs are greatly appreciated. 73, Jarek, KB9IIZ

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KB9IIZ/P EN51/52/61/62 (42N 88W) activation on Sunday 11/22
by Jarek Stopczyk, KB9IIZ 21 Nov '09

21 Nov '09

Good Day to all... Taking advantage of the good weather I'll be activating grids EN51/52/61/62, point 42N 88W, on Sunday, Nov 22nd. Listen for KB9IIZ/P during the below passes for a 4 grids for 1 QSO deal (all times Zulu calculated for my location) AO27 @ 1846Z SO50 @ 1938Z AO27 @ 2026Z SO50 @ 2118Z There is a chance that I'll be able to operate from the same point on Saturday, Nov 21st AO-51 2323Z pass; I'll give it a shot, but don't hold me to it. For details, info, QSL, etc. please check my very simple website: kb9iiz.myanthill.org Given Chicago's weather this might very well be my last activation for the season. 73, Jarek, KB9IIZ

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CM87 to EM84 on 350mW
by Tim - N3TL 21 Nov '09

21 Nov '09

Hey everyone, At 2204 UTC on 20 November, KG6NUB and I completed another 2-way 50mW contact using our handheld satellite stations - this time on SO-50. KG6NUB was using his Kenwood TH-D7 HT and an Arrow antenna, and I was using my Yaesu VX-7R HT and an Elk antenna. Given SO-50's nominal transmitter power of 250mW, our total power budget for this contact was 350 mW. I don't believe it's possible for us to go lower unless the AO-51 control team configures one of that satellite's V/U transponders below 250 mW out. Speaking of AO-51, KG6NUB and I completed a 2-way 50mW contact on AO-51 at 0009 UTC on 21 November. KO4MA posted to the BB that the satellite is currently at 750mW on the V/U transponder, so our total power budget for that contact was 850mW. We now have completed three contacts from CM87 to EM84 running 50mW from each handheld ground station - one each on AO-27, SO-50 and AO-51 - and on the latter's non-QRP transponder. Based on the satellites' reported transmitter powers during these contacts, our total power budget for the three contacts is 1.8 watts. The SO-50 contact is especially gratifying because of the satellite's nominal quarter-watt out. It's our orbiting QRPp station. My thanks to KG6NUB for joining me on the low end of the power curve - even on busy passes. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha

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Icom 9100 release date?
by John Geiger 21 Nov '09

21 Nov '09

I see that both the Icom 746PRO and the Icom 910H have been discontinued, and I am assuming that the Icom 9100 is the replacement for both of them. Any word yet on when it will be made available? 73s John AA5JG

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Re: Outdoor Box for Preamp
by Clint Bradford 20 Nov '09

20 Nov '09

A suitably-sized Pelican case would do ... weather/elements-proof. Or call your local city yard or university plant ops person and see if they have any old telephone callboxes in the junk heap. Clint Bradford, K6LCS

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AO-51 Performance
by Clint Bradford 20 Nov '09

20 Nov '09

CB >> ... It was a dramatic improvement/difference in performance [00:42 GMT 11/20/09] ... ANDREW>> .,, The power on the repeater downlink is a bit higher than normal at 760 mw. It shouldn't be a dramatic difference from our recent 500-600mw, but noticeable to a observant operator ... My aging ears cannot take the credit ... it's that darned inefficient, engineered-all-wrong Arrow 146/437-10WBP antenna that I use ... (grin) Clint Bradford http://www.work-sat.com

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Running Power to the Polarity Switch
by David Wing 20 Nov '09

20 Nov '09

I'm making good progress to get my KLM and Cushcraft antennas mounted on the roof.I think I'll be able to wrap it all up this weekend. I do have a question about the polarity switch on the Cushcraft 30 element 440 antenna. The switch has one lead that seems to be intended go to +12vDC and the negative lead goes to the boom of the antenna. Do I need connect -12vDC to the coax on my feed line in order to complete this circuit? Seems easier to just disconnect the wire from the boom and run it to a dedicated -12vDC lead. My switch on my KLM is fed with dedicated leads for + and - and it seems that would be the easiest way to deal with the Cushcraft. Am I missing something obvious here? I have wires to spare and can so it's not a big savings to me to run the -12vDC on the coax if that is the reason why this was designed this way. Pointers and suggestions welcome. 73, David

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Outdoor Box: Further Considerations
by Stan, W1LE 20 Nov '09

20 Nov '09

Hello The Net: additional considerations: 1. Add a small hole in the bottom to allow the box to vent, << 1/8" drill is OK. small enough to keep the bugs out, but enough to prevent a vacuum build up inside or over pressuring. 2. Not all electrical boxes are created equal. The cost effective (cheap) ones are PVC. Some use sheet metal type (self tapping) screws to secure the cover. The better ones use a metal insert that mates a machine screw. The threads last longer. Some PVC material is softer than others that are more brittle. Be careful drilling holes. 3. Typical NEMA ratings are #12 for indoor wet environment, 4X for weather proof/tight. Newer IPC ratings are available but you need to research the IPC #'s. I avoid NEMA 12 enclosues 4. Ebay can be your friend for cost effective larger weatherproof enclosures. Search electrical enclosures. For fiberglass enclosures, BONDO fiberglass filler is easily applied to fill existing holes. Tape over the back side, fill with BONDO, paint to seal. Other enclosures are available in fiberglass ($) aluminum ($$) and stainless steel ($$$$). Some with stainless steel hinges and latches to open the cover. 5. design for your environment. Here in New England we have temperature extremes and lotsa rain/snow/wind. A milder environment like So. Cal. will allow a simpler box. I avoid painted steel boxes, even the galvi ones... 6. Another source after Home Depot and Lowes can be www.TekSupply.com a agricultural supply house. Electrical supply houses for tradesmen can also be helpful. Stan, W1LE FN41sr Cape Cod

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Outdoor box for preamp?
by Michael Tondee 20 Nov '09

20 Nov '09

Just got my new ARR SP432VDG preamp in the mail today. Since I'm on a budget, I opted to buy this unit rather than a mast mount outdoor amp. It is still my intention to mast mount this preamp though. Advanced Receiver Research themselves say that you can do this using a NEMA outdoor electrical enclosure. The problem is that I've been looking at outdoor electrical enclosures and have yet to find one that has dimensions that the preamp will fit in. I have really only been looking at outlet type boxes. Anyone have any suggestions as to what I can use? The unit is about 3 inches tall including the N connectors and about 4 and 5/8 inches wide. I need something relatively cheap that will give reliable protection. Thanks, Michael, W4HIJ

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Selling up.
by Dave Aitch 20 Nov '09

20 Nov '09

ICOM 910HX ICOM VHF & UHF mast mounted pre-amps ICOM SM-10 desk microphone. In addition, four antennas from VHF to 2.4GHz. An ALTRON wall mounted 2 section mast. AEA DSP 2232 Offers invited, UK only please. Further details available direct. Dave. G1OCN. Portland. Dorset.

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